Veronica's Position
a star-spangled comedy
by Rich Orloff
Cast: 2 W, 4 M
“Orloff’s writing is sharp. He has an easy way with humor, and it’s more knowing than most of what passes for comedy in the theater today.”
– Variety
“A Noel Coward-esque comedy. Orloff gives listeners a lot to think about it. It works.”
– Los Angeles Times
“Rollicking fun. Reminiscent of a combination of Noel Coward, Oscar Wilde and Moss Hart, VERONICA’S POSITION tackles love, artistic freedom, plus social politics – all with sharply fashioned wit.”
– Easy Reader (Los Angeles)
VERONICA’S POSITION mixes love, politics and art in a star-spangled comedy set in Washington, D.C., 1990. When Veronica, a self-absorbed movie star in mid-life (think Liz Taylor) agrees to co-star in a play with her favorite ex-husband (think Richard Burton), both egos and calories get burned. The director (who is young, female and attractive) gets a better performance from Veronica’s ex-husband off-stage than on. Meanwhile, Veronica’s gay assistant falls in love with an old pal, a controversial photographic artist who has just been denounced by Veronica’s current flame, a powerful United States senator. When conflicts build between those she adores, the fervently apolitical Veronica is forced to take a position on the one subject she cares about – love.
awards
- Winner – Festival of Emerging American Theatre, IN
- Winner – InterPlay International Play Festival, Rochester NY
- Winner – New Plays in America Festival, Charlotte Rep, NC
- Winner – Center Theatre New Play Contest, Chicago
more critical praise
“a smart, moving and very funny comedy with dialogue that crackles like a Coward script. A play filled with heart as well as hilarity, giving an audience plenty of food for thought.”
– Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel
“A great deal of splash and biting humor. A well-timed production.”
– Milwaukee magazine
“The laughter runs rampant. Incredibly entertaining and provocative.”
– Milwaukee Postscript
“Orloff manages this resonant material, which knowingly evokes ghosts of the Taylor-Burton romance and the Robert Mapplethorpe controversy, with surprising nimbleness.”
– Indianapolis Star
“A comedy filled with sparkling bon mots, but also with a lot of serious things about arts versus censorship, and topics such as love, politics and homophobia. Extremely clever.”
– NUVO (Indianapolis weekly)
“A well-constructed romantic comedy. Polished banter with an edge.”
– Tampa Tribune
“Rich Orloff’s witty play. Orloff’s dialogue crackles throughout the play.”
– Portland Tribune (Oregon)
“Playwright Rich Orloff has crafted a snappy, smart comedy.”
– Bradenton Herald
“A firecracker play. Highly entertaining.”
– North Port Sun Herald (Florida)
“Rich Orloff’s script, littered with punchlines, is riveting.”
– Kronenzeitung (Vienna, Austria)
“An aggressive biting tale with richly sharp dialogue. There is more to this piece than one commonly encounters in comedies.”
– Der Neue Merkur (Vienna, Austria)
“Highly enjoyable. Recommended without reservation.”
– Xtra (Vienna, Austria)
production history
Florida Studio Theatre (premiere)
Dayton Playhouse, Ohio
In Tandem Theatre, Milwaukee
The Phoenix Theatre, Indianapolis
Playwrights Forum, Memphis
Shadowland Theatre, Ellenville NY
Theatre Forty, Beverly Hills
Triangle Productions, Portland OR
Evolution Theatre Company, Columbus OH
Island City Stage, Fort Lauderdale FL
Vienna’s English Theatre, Vienna AUSTRIA
